Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota (CDF-MN) invites you to join us for our 2026 Celebration of Joy. This year’s theme, “Advocacy that Outlives Us,” offers an evening dedicated to honoring young people, uplifting community, and reflecting the spirit of hope, resilience, and collective action.
Building on the energy and impact of previous events, this year’s Celebration of Joy continues a tradition of bringing together youth, families, educators, partners, and supporters to recognize the power of community-centered work and the voices of young people across Minnesota.
Attendees will be immersed in a dinner theater atmosphere encompassing soulful bites, a youth-performed play, and a call to support CDF’s responsibility to train the next generation of young advocates.
Advocate for Joy Honorees
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Renaldo C. Blocker, Ph.D.
Associate Professor at Mayo Clinic | Endowed Kern Center Honored Investigator | Scientific Director of Diversity Science
Learn More about Renaldo C. Blocker, Ph.D.
Samuel Halperin Youth Public Service Honoree
Date & Time: Thursday, August 20, 2026 | 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Location: Capri Theater | 2027 W Broadway, Minneapolis, MN 55411